Opinion Editorials

Our nation is safer because of ICE

ICE Agents are the brave men and women who daily take on criminal alien gang members, drug dealers, rapists, murderers, and child molesters inside our borders. Without ICE, there is no one to go after illegal aliens who overstay their visas, such as those responsible for the 9/11 attacks in New York City, or criminal aliens who have been released from detention.

Should America abandon the law enforcement agency working against the drug smugglers, human traffickers and violent gangs who are living in our communities illegally?

That is what Democratic lawmakers in Congress are pushing - abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

This week the House of Representatives voted on a congressional resolution that affirms America’s continued support for ICE and its vital security mission. Regrettably only eighteen Democrats in the House supported it - that’s right, a mere eighteen - while Republicans overwhelming approved the measure.

In Texas all Republicans supported ICE while only one Texas Democrat agreed that protecting our Texas families and communities against this violence and trafficking should continue.

Earlier this month, ICE Agents in El Paso arrested eighteen alien smugglers and seized $20,000 in cash and 1,000 lbs. of illicit drugs. Two days earlier, ICE agents were instrumental in securing the indictment of eight MS-13 gang members in Dallas for racketeering, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit murder. Also this month, ICE Agents in Laredo seized 181, 000 counterfeit, trademark-infringed items, totaling almost $43 million.

To bring it closer to home, in June a former Houston-area sheriff’s deputy who resided in Spring was sentenced for producing and possessing child pornography due to an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. In fact, since 2003, ICE HSI has arrested more than 16,000 people for crimes against children, including sex trafficking.

ICE Agents are the brave men and women who daily take on criminal alien gang members, drug dealers, rapists, murderers, and child molesters inside our borders. Without ICE, there is no one to go after illegal aliens who overstay their visas, such as those responsible for the 9/11 attacks in New York City, or criminal aliens who have been released from detention.

In 2017 alone, ICE arrests of criminal aliens included more than 80,000 DUIs, 48,000 assaults, 5,000 sexual assaults, and 1,800 homicides. ICE agents played a critical role in removing illicit drugs from circulation and seized more than 980,000 pounds of narcotics, including opioids such as fentanyl and heroin.

It wasn’t that long ago that Democrats in Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, supported ICE and voted overwhelmingly to authorize it. I still believe that the majority of Democrats understand and appreciate the national security benefits provided by ICE. However, this issue has been sensationalized due to the separation of families crossing the border illegally.

This call to abolish ICE is not only a reckless political ploy, it insults the thousands of ICE Agents who risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of our communities. ICE agents protect our nation’s border, our economy, and U.S. intellectual property. They even play a vital role in keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of enemies our military faces.

Instead of blaming law enforcement for the problems we face, Democrats should work with Republicans to revamp our immigration system. Together, we can find a way to curtail illegal immigration, while welcoming those who want to come here legally to work, obey our laws, and contribute to society.

I had a great visit to the brand new Grand Oaks High School, Conroe ISD where I was able to meet their staff and tour the amazing facilities. Thank you for hosting me Grand Oaks, I'm excited to see what comes next!